How I Boosted My Productivity


Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? I’ve been there—staying up all night, cramming before exams and still feeling like I wasn’t learning. After a semester of burnout I decided to overhaul my study habits. Through trial and error I found game changing tools and strategies that changed my productivity. In this post I’ll share what worked (and what didn’t) so you can learn from my mistakes!

⚙️ Tools That Saved My Grades

1. Notion – The Ultimate Organizer

I used to scribble notes across five different notebooks until I found Notion. This all-in-one workspace lets you:

  • Create to-do lists with deadlines.

  • Store lecture notes in searchable databases.

  • Track progress with Kanban boards (great for group projects!).
    Pro Tip: Start with a free student template—no need to build from scratch!

2. Forest App – Beat Procrastination

If you are a professional procrastinator(like me), Forest turns your focussing ability into a game. Plant a virtual tree, and if you leave the app to check social media, your tree dies. Over time, you grow a forest—a visual reward for staying on task.

3. Pomodoro Technique – Study Smarter

Instead of marathon study sessions, I now use the Pomodoro Technique:

  • Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.

  • After four cycles, take a 15-30 minute break.
    This technique helps me stay focussed and prevent burnout.


**Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To 🙇🏻‍♂️)

1. Cramming the Night Before

I did bad on my Algorithms course because I tried to memorize everything in one night. Now, I:

  • Review notes for 10 minutes daily.

  • Try to code everything instead of memorizing.

2. Multitasking = Myth

Switching between homework, Netflix, and texts made me 40% slower (yes, research backs this!). Now, I:

  • Turn off notifications during study time.

  • Use Focus Mode on my phone.

3. Ignoring Self-Care

Skipping sleep and meals for "extra study time" backfired. Now, I prioritize:

  • 7–8 hours of sleep (memory consolidation happens then 😴).

  • Short walks to recharge (even 10 minutes helps).

Conclusion

It’s not about working more, it’s about working better. Try these out and see what works for you. And remember: Mistakes are okay as long as your're learning from them.

What’s your favourite hack? Comment below.


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